Monopod mounted solid pet waste collecting and disposing system

ABSTRACT

A monopod mounted solid pet waste collecting and disposing system, hereafter referred to as the “Pooper Scooper” is a pole device with a mounted scooper box. When not in use, the scooper box is mounted vertically parallel to the walking stick. When required for pet waste collection, it is deployed towards the horizontally parallel to the ground. The internal section of the stick has a mechanism that opens and closes the two segments of the scooper box. The Scooper box has a provision to insert a specially designed disposable cup or case inside the box which not only collects the pet waste, its distinctive design also protects the surfaces of the scooper box from coming in contact with the waste. The lower lip protects the lower edge of the scooper box from coming in contact with any waste or rough surfaces. Each disposable case also has an outer lip that allows the case to be opened or closed in sync with the scooper box. The scooper box has an ejection mechanism which allows for the quick and easy release of the disposable cup or case.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of Invention

The present investigation is related to a walking stick or other monopod which has an attachment in the form of a box type pooper scooper device (Pooper scooper box and disposable case) to collect and dispose of solid pet waste.

(2) Description of the Prior Art

There are several prior attempts to develop multiple uses of a walking stick or other monopod. Some inventions have added flashlights on a walking stick while others have added a tong or jaw type device attached at the bottom of the stick. However there is no known prior invention to use a walking stick with a box type pooper scooper device where the device remain stationary above the stick base so not to interface with the walking stick's function and when required for pet/dog waste pick up, it is deployed towards the base and parallel to the ground.

There are prior attempts to develop a pooper scooper and there are various designs that are patented and commercially available. These designs have their own objectives thus are useful in their limited scope. Some of the prior inventions which can be used without bending or coming close to the pet waste like; U.S. Pat. No. 4,286,816 to Emil which uses grid to collect pet waste or U.S. Pat. No. 3,740,086 to Liotta/Rossitto and U.S. Pat. No. 3,718,358 to Ayers uses fixed plastic containers. Some other patents with similar objectives are; U.S. Pat. No. 4,240,656 to Karl using shovel at one end of the telescopic shaft and U.S. Pat. No. 3,467,116 to Walter having pick-up walking sticks U.S. Pat. No. 8,109,547 to Frank Miller having a device with a mechanism to open and close the bag, U.S. Pat. No. 6,196,600 to Brooke having a scooper device with mounted tray, U.S. Pat. No. 6,032,995 to Guy Barborno having a rod with a box attached at lower end of the stick, U.S. Pat. No. 8,002,319 to Joseph Hahn for a pooper scooper with a plate and skewer. All these patents are having a major limitation as they are not very comfortable to carry for a pet walk. It is like an additional object to be carried during the walk.

A few of the devices have limited scope in that it comes in contact with the pet waste making it not very hygienic to carry or store after use. A typical example of such device is U.S. Pat. No. 7,900,644 to McGee & David Clifford for a “walking stick for collecting fecal matters” in which a walking stick with an motorized housing or cup at the lower end of the stick is used for collecting waste materials. Some of the smaller objects are easy to carry but have limitations as they require manual hand pick-up of the pet waste like; US D0655868 to Venus Boyd for the pooper scooper gloves and US D668009 S1 to Mark Edward for the Dog waste bags.

Because of the above limitation the earlier inventions are not very popular to carry for a dog walk and people in general prefer to carry polyethylene or other plastic bags for pet waste disposal. The use of Plastic bags itself has limitations as it requires bending and bringing hand and nose closer to pet/dog waste. It is also awkward and graceless to carry the pet/dog waste bag in hand up to the disposal bin. The present invention has distinguished advantages and its various features were never anticipated in any of the prior inventions of the pet waste collection and disposal device. It is on an entirely different platform and utilizes a different mechanism to any of the previous inventions.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to the 2013-2014 American Pet Products Association Inc. (APPA) National Pet Owners Survey, there are 83.3 million pet dogs in the USA alone. Dogs not only provide protection, they can be very faithful companions. Dog walking is a favorite activity among many dog owners, as it allows for both the owner and dog to get some exercise. However, there is an obligation on a dog walk; to pick-up the dog waste from any public place and dispose of it in a proper disposable bin. There are many prior inventions in this field and a few devices are commercially available in the market to serve this purpose. However these devices are limited in scope and hence have limited utility.

The present invention utilizes an entirely new concept with a new design to collect pet waste. The objective of the present invention is to provide a suitable tool which is easy to carry during a pet walk while also allowing for the easy and hygienic retrieval and disposal of the pet waste, without directly or indirectly coming in contact with the user. The present invention which is in line with the above objectives is on the platform of a walking stick or other monopod with a pooper scooper box attached at lower end of the stick. It is a newly designed pooper scooper with many advantages over previous inventions. It has several unique features which were previously not anticipated or used in any of the previous design. Although the main body of the proposed invention is a modified walking stick, its various elements of the preferred embodiment can be divided into four functional groups.

-   a. Stick and control switches -   b. Pooper Scooper box and disposable case -   c. Hinge attached to the pooper box and stick -   d. Disposable Ejection mechanism

Stick and Control Switches:

The present invention is on the platform of a monopod. In the preferred embodiment, it is an upgraded walking stick or assistive cane with a pooper scooper box attached at lower segment of the stick. In a normal case the box remains parked vertically parallel to the stick so it is always easy to carry during a walk. The upper portion of the stick has the sliding switch and knob assembly to pull and lock the box parallel to the stick. When the switch is released, it deployed the pooper scooper box towards the lower end of the stick and parallel to the ground. The upper portion has another switch and knob assembly that open/closes the box compartments. The stick has a punched channel in which the switch and knob assemblies are moved up and down. The horizontal cut has been provided to lock the movement. The stick tip is retractable and also controlled by a sliding switch or a knob/handle at top of the stick. The spring loaded tip is used to eject the disposable case out of the box.

Pooper Scooper Box and Disposable Case:

In the preferred embodiment, the pooper scooper box is a spring loaded hinged box which has one side fully open. The opposite of this open side has a window or a sliding plate type provision to eject the disposable case out of the pooper scooper box by pushing it with a telescopic rod or pipe. In the normal parked position, the open side is always facing upwards and the disposable is inserted into this opening. The spring loaded hinge of the pooper scooper box forces the box in a closed position. It also has provision to link with the pulling medium (wire rope etc.) which is operated through the stick mounted mechanism. Disposable case is similar shape to the shape of the box except it is covered from all the four side. The bottom edge of the disposable case is folded so it covers the bottom edge of the box. This will protect the box from coming in contact with pet waste. The disposable case also has a folded ring wrapped around the box so when the box is opens; the disposable case will open along with it. There is an extension on the pooper scooper box which provides additional support to hold the side ring.

Hinge Attached With the Stick and the Pooper Scooper Box:

Pooper scooper box is attached with the stick via a distinctively designed hinge which opens from 0 to 180 degree. One end of the hinge is attached with the top of a segment of the pooper scooper box and other end is coupled with the stick. The hinge is spring loaded forcing downwards, hence when the pooper scooper box is unlocked, it forces the box down and keep it firmly parallel to the floor so it can be used to pick up the pet waste. If the stick is lifted and it is not resting against the floor, it turned 180 degree and positioned below the stick foot or tip so the disposable case can be ejected out by the telescopic stick tip. Opening of the hinge is controlled by a pulling medium (wire rope etc.) which is operated by a switch and knob assembly mechanism.

Disposable Ejection Mechanism:

In the preferred embodiment, the disposable ejection mechanism is consist with a rod inside the stick which in fact works as a telescoping tip and is operated by a knob situated at the top portion of the stick. During normal carrying mode and pet waste collecting operation, the rod remains inside the stick supported by a compression spring at the bottom of the stick. During the disposable mode, the knob pushes the rod against the compression spring. It passes through a hollow opening of the stick foot and ejected the disposable out of the pooper scooper box.

Some of the distinguish features of the proposed invention are:

-   a. The proposed invention is on the platform of a walking stick     which is a walking accessory; hence it is not like an additional     carrying object for a pet walk. During walking, its box type pooper     scooper remains parked vertically parallel to the stick. It stays     above the skid tip hence creating no hindrance to carry for a     pet-walk. -   b. Pet waste is picked up and disposed of in the bin with the help     of the mechanism installed in the upper segment of the walking stick     hence it doesn't require the user to bend over. This means the     entire operation form walking, deployment of the scooper box, waste     pick up and storage, and disposal into a bin can be done in comfort     and without bending. -   c. It has a distinctively shaped disposable case with an extension     edge. This extension covers the bottom edges of the scooper box so     the box surface remains free from coming in contact with the pet     waste. Hence pet waste never comes in contact with the scooper box     and it remain hygienic and clean to store and carry. -   d. Once pet waste is collected, it remains in the disposable case     attached at the bottom of the stick hence it can be easily and     gracefully carried to the disposal-bin. -   e. The pet waste is discarded by ejecting the disposable case with     the telescopic tip which is operated by a control knob at upper     segment of the stick. The whole operation of pet waste pick-up,     carrying and disposal is implemented hygienically without coming in     close contact with the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrate the major components of the present invention. FIG. 1.A describes the parts of the main body; FIG. 1.B illustrates the body shape and major components of the spring hinge; FIG. 1.C and FIG. 1E illustrates the body shape and major components of the disposable case and the pooper scooper box; FIG. 1.D describes the control mechanism to operate the pooper scooper function and spring to inject the disposable box out of the pooper scooper box. FIGS. 2, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 describe the device at various functional modes.

All parts as illustrated in the above figure can be identified with their following sequential number:

-   1. Stick (Monopod) -   2. Top control knob (Eject the retractable probe to release the     disposable) -   3. Middle Control knob (To; open & close the box) -   4. Lower Control knob (To; up & down the box). -   5. Channel for the Upper Control Switch. -   6. Channel for the Lower Control Switch -   7. Spring hinge (To move the pooper scooper box up and down) -   8. Stick foot -   9. Handle -   10. Tie-in wire between Upper Control switch & Pooper Scooper Box     compartment (to open & close) -   11. Tie-in wire between Lower Control switch & spring hinge (to move     up & down) -   12. Pooper scooper box -   13. Disposable case -   14. Lower Lip of the Disposable case -   15. Outer Lip of the Disposable case -   16. Open-end of the Pooper scooper Box -   17. Window opening at back of the pooper scooper box -   18. Box Hinge (to swing the box compartments) -   19. Extension in the pooper scooper box to hold the disposable case -   20. Telescopic or retractable rod -   21. Top Control Switch (Connecting top switch and retractable rod). -   22. Middle Control Switch -   23. Lower control switch -   24. Compression spring Stick (Monopod)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1.A, 1.B, 1.C, 1.D and 1.E describes the main elements of the preferred embodiment. As illustrated in the figure, the proposed invention is comprised with a stick 1 in the form of a walking stick with a pooper scooper box 12 attached at lower side of the stick. The pooper scooper box has provision to place a disposable box 13 inside the box. A hollow foot 8 at the bottom of the stick 1 and a handle 9 at top is also attached with the stick 1. A telescopic or retractable rod 20 is placed inside the stick 1, where it remains above the hollow foot 8 with the help of a compression spring 24. Upper portion of the stick 1 has three control knobs; Upper control knob 2 is attached with the telescopic rod 20 via an Upper control switch 21. The middle control knob 3 is linked with the middle control switch 22 and bottom control knob 4 is linked with a bottom control switch 23. These three knobs slide up and down in two vertical channels cut in the stick. The upper control knob 2 and Middle control knob 3 slides in the upper channel 5 and lower control knob 4 slides in the lower channel 6. The top of the each vertical cut has a small horizontal extension which provides locking mechanism for the upper and lower control switch 2 and 4 respectively. The upper control switch 21 is attached with the telescopic rod 20, when the upper control switch 2 is pushed downwards; it partially releases the telescopic rod 20 out from the hollow foot 8. The middle control switch 3 and lower control switches 4 are attached with the pooper scooper box 12 via two tie inn wires 10 and 11.

The pooper scooper box 12 is in the form of two compartment box or cage. Both compartments are linked with each other by a spring loaded hinge 18 forcing the both compartments in closed position. One side of the box is fully open 16 and its opposite side has a window opening 17. The Pooper scooper box 12 is attached to the skid 1 via a spring loaded hinge 7 which opens from 0 to 180 degree. Hinge 7 is spring loaded forcing the pooper scooper box 12 downwards. One side of the hinge 7 is attached with the skid 1 and other side of the hinge 7 is attached to a segment of the pooper scooper box 12. The hinge 7 is attached at top of the pooper scooper box 12 so when it is open to 180 degree, it bring box 12 under the foot 8 so the disposable case 13 can be ejected out by pushing the top control knob 2. In normal parked position the open side of the pooper scooper box 16 is always facing up. Disposable case 13 is top down inserted from this opening 16. The window opening at opposite side of the box 17 is utilized to eject the disposable case 13 by pushing the telescopic rod 20.

Middle control knob 3 is linked with one of the compartment of the pooper scooper box 12 via a tie-in wire 10. Pooper scooper box 12 is open when tie-in wire 10 is pulled by pulling the middle control knob 3 upwards. Similarly Lower control knob 4 is linked with the spring hinge 7 via tie-in wire 11 in such a way that it pulls the pooper scooper box 12 upwards, parallel to the skid 1.

Disposable case 13 is of similar shape of the box except it is closed from all the four sides. The bottom edge of the disposable case 13 is folded, as shown in FIG. 1.0 as Lower lip of the disposable case 14 so it covers the bottom edge of the box. This will protect the box from coming in contact with the pet waste. The disposable case 13 also has a folded ring, shown as Outer lip of the disposable case 15; it also has a vertical cut. When the disposable case 13 is inserted in the pooper scooper box 12, the outer lip 15 wrap the box 12 and the extension tip of the box 19 is inserted in the vertical cut of the outer lip, so when the box 12 opens; the disposable case 13 also opens along with it.

FIGS. 2, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 describes the status of the proposed device at various functional modes.

Referring to the figure-2 the proposed device is in normal carrying and walking mode. At this stage, the stick 1 is used for its normal function to support the walking or can be carried by hand. The top control knob 2 is at upper locked position of the upper channel 5, keeping the retractable rod 20 inside of the stick. The middle control switch 3 is in downward position in the same channel 5, keeping the tie-inn wire 10 at relaxed position. In this state both compartments of the pooper scooper box 12 remains in closed position. The lower control switch 4 is pulled-up and locked in the lower channel 6, forcing the scooper box 12 to vertically upward and parallel to the stick 1. Its open-end 16 is at top position and the disposable case is inserted in it at top down position. During inserting, the Lower lip of the disposable case 14 remains outside covering the bottom edge of the pooper scooper box 5 and the Outer lip of the disposable case 15 wrap around the scooper box; the extended part of the disposable box 19 is inserted in the vertical hole of the side lip of the disposable case 15.

The vertically upward position of the scooper box 5 is providing almost no interference and stick 1 can be used for its normal walking support.

When the device is used for the waste pick-up function, the first action is to unlock and release the lower control Knob 4. It releases the Lower Tie-in wire 11 and spring loaded Hinge 7 forces the scooper box downwards. The scooper box 12 is supported against the ground maintaining it horizontally parallel to the ground. The above status is shown in the FIG. 3.1.

To pick-up the dog/pet waste, the scooper box 12 is opened by pulling the Middle Control switch 3, which in fact is connected with the pooper scooper box 12 via tie-in wire 10. The sides lip of the disposable case 15 forces the disposable case 13 to open along with the scooper box 12. The open scooper box 12 is glided around dog/pet waste in such a way the waste remains between both the compartments. The action is described in FIG. 3.2. At this position, the Middle control switch 3 is released to close the scooper box 12, forcing waste inside the disposable case. This action is as shown in FIG. 3.3.

024 The device can be brought to the normal walking stick mode similar to FIG. 3.4. In this step, the Pooper scooper box 12 is pulled upward by pulling and locking the Lower control knob 4. This action pulled the tie-in wire 11 which pulled the spring hinge 7 and pooper scooper box 12 to upward position. The pet waste remains inside the disposal case and the stick is ready to carry to dispose in the garbage bin.

To release the disposal case in to the garbage bin, the Pooper scooper box 12 is lowered down by releasing the lower control switch 4. As the skid is not sitting against the floor, it opens 18 180 degree. In this status, the Scooper box 12 is vertically underneath of the foot 8 and its open side is in the downward position. This action is described in FIG. 4.1. In next action the disposable case 13 is released by gravity as well as by unlocking and pushing the Upper control knob 2 downwards. The upper control knob 2 is connected with the telescopic rod 20 via upper control switch 21, hence this action forces the telescopic rod 20 against the compression spring 24 and the rod is released underneath the foot 8, which enters through the pooper scooper box window 17 and forces the disposable case 13 out of the pooper scooper box 12. The device position is similar as shown in the FIG. 4.2.

After releasing the disposable case, the device is brought back to walking mode with two actions. In first action, the upper control knob 2 is released allowing the compression spring 24 is pulled back the telescopic rod 20 inside the stick 1 and thereafter, the lower control knob 4 is pulled up and locked. This action is similar to the FIG. 3.4 in which, the tie-in wire 11 pulled the spring hinge 7 and pooper scooper box 12 to upward position. With this action, the device is back to the walking mode as shown in the FIG. 4.3.

PATENT CITATIONS

Cited Patent Filing date Publication date Applicant Title U.S. Pat. No. 4,286,816A Jun. 23, 1980 Sep. 1, 1981 Emil Device for collection and disposal of pet waste U.S. Pat. No. 3,740,086 26 Jul. 1971 19 Jun. 1973 Liotta Sebastian Animal excreta pickup device U.S. Pat. No. 3,718,358 25 Jan. 1972 27 Feb. 1973 Ayers T Sanitary collector U.S. Pat. No. 4,240,656 Oct. 5, 1978 Dec. 23, 1980 Karlheinz Eiffinger Apparatus for retrieval and disposal of animal excrements U.S. Pat. No. 3,467,116 Feb. 12, 1968 Sep. 16, 1969 Walter P. Ringewaldt Pick-up walking stick U.S. Pat. No. 8,109,547 Sep. 2, 2009 Feb. 7, 2012 Frank Miller Apparatus and method for collecting animal droppings U.S. Pat. No. 6,196,600 Nov. 18, 1999 Mar. 6, 2001 Brooke Daniel Miller Animal waste scooping and disposal device U.S. Pat. No. 6,032,995 Dec. 7, 1998 Mar. 7, 2000 Guy Barbaro Apparatus for retrieval and disposal of pet fecal U.S. Pat. No. 8,002,319 Nov. 19, 2007 Aug. 23, 201 Joseph Hahn Pooper scooper U.S. Pat. No. 7,900,644 May 1, 2008 Mar. 8, 2011 McGee David Clifford Walking stick for collecting fecal matter USD0655868 May 19, 2009 Mar. 13, 2012 Venus Boyd Pooper scooper gloves USD 668009 Dec. 7, 2011 Sep. 25, 2012 Mark Edward Dog waste bag 

1. A “Solid pet waste collecting and disposing system” comprising of a stick in the form of a walking stick or other elongated monopod, trekking pole, crutches or assistive cane with a mounted pooper scooper device. When not in use, the scooper assembly is stationary, above the stick base, so as to not interfere with the stick end contacting a surface. When deployed, the Scooper assembly is moved to a position below the base end of the monopod, parallel to the ground.
 2. The stick mounted pooper scooper device described in claim 1 further including wherein the said scooper device is consists of two or more compartmentalized boxes or alternatively, the scooper device consist of a frame or shovel.
 3. The stick mounted pooper scooper device in claim 1 further including wherein one of the compartment of the scooper box can be of different shape and size, relative to the other, or serve the purpose of a lid.
 4. The stick mounted pooper scooper device in claim 1 further including wherein one or more compartments of the said pooper scooper device are hinged, allowing it to open and close.
 5. The stick mounted pooper scooper device in claim 4 further including wherein the said hinge is spring mounted, keeping both compartments in a closed position when not in use.
 6. The stick mounted pooper scooper device in claim 1 further including wherein the said pooper scooper device is hinged to the monopod allowing it to be stored vertically, facing up, or be deployed in such a manner that when it faces downwards toward the base end of the stick, or be in a position that allows for the collection of solid waste.
 7. The stick mounted pooper scooper device in claim 6 further including wherein the said hinge connecting pooper scooper box and monopod is spring loaded, forcing the box downward position. The device also has a provision to pull the pooper scooper box to the upward position and provision to lock at that position.
 8. The stick mounted pooper scooper device in claim 1 further including wherein the said stick has the provision of a telescopic monopod.
 9. The stick mounted pooper scooper device in claim 1 further including wherein the said stick has any of the following mechanisms; a. Mechanism to open and close the pooper scooper box b. Mechanism to move the pooper scooper box upward parallel to the stick and downward towards the ground. c. A mechanism to retract and extend the telescopic tip.
 10. The stick mounted pooper scooper device in claim 9 further including wherein the mechanism to open and close the pooper scooper box, mechanism to move the box up and down and the telescopic tip is retracted or extended, are controlled by switches located at the upper segment of the stick.
 11. The stick mounted pooper scooper device in claim 1 further including wherein the one side frame of the said pooper scooper box is fully open or alternatively has provision to open to insert or release the disposable case.
 12. The stick mounted pooper scooper device in claim 11 further including wherein the said disposable case is an insert with similar shape as the pooper scooper box.
 13. The stick mounted pooper scooper device in claim 11 further including wherein the said pooper scooper has its open face upwards at parked position, allowing for the insertion of a disposable case. At downward position, the open face is turned outward/downwards, allowing the disposable to be released.
 14. The stick mounted pooper scooper device in claim 1 further including wherein the said pooper scooper box or frame has provision to eject the disposable case out of the Scooper box either by a spring loaded push plate or alternatively an opening in the box that allows the disposable to be ejected by telescopic tip or external object.
 15. The stick mounted pooper scooper device in claim 11 further including wherein the bottom edge of the said disposable case is extended and folded so that the extended part covers the bottom portion of each compartment.
 16. The stick mounted pooper scooper device in claim 11 further including wherein the one side of the said disposable case has a lip or edge which is inserted in to extended portion of the box surface so when the box is opened, the disposable cover also opens with it.
 17. The stick mounted pooper scooper device in claim 1 further including wherein the said stick has a hook or attachment for the dog leash and/or a disposable bag carrier. 